Prosecutor: Former basketball player punches man a foot shorter at Costco

March 07, 2013|By Ruth Fuller | Special to the Tribune

A Lake Forest man who played basketball for Bradley University and Highland Park High School in the 1980s has been charged with punching a 61-year-old man twice in front of the Mettawa Costco.

Bruce Mordini, 48, of the 400 block of Ridge Road in Lake Forest, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 250 pounds, allegedly confronted the 5 feet 8 inches man on Tuesday after the man pulled in front of Costco to help his wife load groceries into their car, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Atty. Marc Bangser.

Mordini, claiming that the man tried to run him over, struck the man’s car with his hand, Bangser said.

When the man exited the car, Mordini punched the man in the face, Bangser said. The man ran in to Costco and Mordini followed him, punching him again, Bangser said.

Mordini was identified by the man, the man’s wife and two store employees, Bangser said. He was charged with aggravated battery.

Bangser said that Mordini was “very uncooperative,” when he was arrested by Lake County Sheriff’s deputies.

Mordini played for Bradley in the mid-80s. He was also on the 1982 Highland Park High School basketball team.